.Senators did not receive any palliative from FG, Abbas declares
House of Representatives has said the rice palliative released by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to members for distribution to their constituents is not missing.
Deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Mr Philip Agbese, in a chat with The Guardian blamed bureaucratic bottlenecks from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the delay being experienced by target beneficiaries of the President’s palliative.
He said: “Indeed, the President released palliatives to lawmakers through the Ministry of Agriculture. Lawmakers have accepted that they are expecting the rice. Some have received; some are yet to receive the rice because of the bureaucratic process ongoing in the ministry.
“I think the Ministry of Agriculture has their own contractors and because of the various distances from one state or constituency to the other, not everybody has received, but some lawmakers have received.”
The lawmaker, who represents Ado, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, acknowledged that he had since received his share of 1,200 bags of 25 kilogrammes of rice and had distributed them to his constituents, accordingly.
He spoke during a clarification address by the Chairman of the House committee on media and publicity, Mr Akin Rotimi, who said the rice palliative would not be monetised as was thought in certain quarters.
Rotimi said: “The procurement process is at different stages depending on the constituency; but to be clear, no legislator has, nor will be given any money for palliatives.
“The procurement and distribution of the palliatives is being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“We must further clarify that the timing of the distribution is not in the hands of any honourable member. The entire process is under the control of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Some constituencies have received theirs, while others are being processed. We call for patience, as no constituency would be left behind.”
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, Iya Abbas, has debunked reports that government gave foodstuffs and cash as palliatives to senators for their constituents.The senator debunked the reports during an interview with newsmen in Yola, yesterday.
According to him, he bought the foodstuff and cash gifts he distributed during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“As I speak to you, nobody gave me money or rice to share as palliatives to our constituents. It was a concocted fabrication aimed at tarnishing our image.
“If it is true, let the contractor bring the invoice for each senator,” he said.
Stressing that the reports are baseless, the senator challenged those spreading the ‘news’ to come forward with evidence.
